
ObjectivesTo describe the variation across neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in missed nursing care in disproportionately black and non‐black‐serving hospitals. To analyze the nursing factors associated with missing nursing care.Data Sources/Study SettingSurvey of random samples of licensed nurses in four large U.S. states.Study DesignThis was a retrospective, secondary analysis of 1,037 staff nurses in 134 NICUs classified into three groups based on their percent of infants of black race. Measures included the average patient load, individual nurses’ patient loads, professional nursing characteristics, nurse work environment, and nursing care missed on the last shift.Data CollectionSurvey data from a Multi‐State Nursing Care and Patient Safety Study were analyzed (39 percent response rate).Principal FindingsThe patient‐to‐nurse ratio was significantly higher in high‐black hospitals. Nurses in high‐black NICUs missed nearly 50 percent more nursing care than in low‐black NICUs. Lower nurse staffing (an additional patient per nurse) significantly increased the odds of missed care, while better practice environments decreased the odds.ConclusionsNurses in high‐black NICUs face inadequate staffing. They are more likely to miss required nursing care. Improving staffing and workloads may improve the quality of care for the infants born in high‐black hospitals.
Infant, Newborn, Personnel Staffing and Scheduling, Workload, Environment, Nursing Staff, Hospital, United States, Black or African American, Cross-Sectional Studies, Intensive Care Units, Neonatal, Humans, Healthcare Disparities, Quality of Health Care, Retrospective Studies
Infant, Newborn, Personnel Staffing and Scheduling, Workload, Environment, Nursing Staff, Hospital, United States, Black or African American, Cross-Sectional Studies, Intensive Care Units, Neonatal, Humans, Healthcare Disparities, Quality of Health Care, Retrospective Studies
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